Blackhawks’ Kruger headed ‘in right direction’

Marcus Kruger is making the most of his second chance.

Sent to Rockford after what Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville called an ordinary training camp, the rookie was immediately recalled because of injuries, and he now has a solid grip on the fourth-line center role.

Kruger scored his first goal in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Columbus, playing what Quenneville said was the center’s best game yet.

“In training camp he was just ordinary, but he’s trending in the right direction,” Quenneville said. “It was nice to see him get his first goal, and I think he’ll get more confidence offensively because there is some vision and patience with the puck.”

Kruger said he put too much pressure on himself at training camp and has started to settle down. The Hawks wanted to see more of his offensive side, and that part of his game is starting to come.

“I’m a little bit more loose now than in training camp and holding on to the puck more,” Kruger said. “I think I put too much pressure on myself. I just need to go out there and play my game. That’s how you play good hockey.”

Jonathan Toews thinks getting that first goal out of the way will be a big boost for Kruger.

“He’s been working hard and been around the net many times,” Toews said. “There’s nothing like getting that first one off your chest so you can just go out there and play. After that you don’t keep count.”

Upon further review:Joel Quenneville doesn#146;t remember ever being involved in a game in which 4 goals were overturned by the referees and video review.The Hawks were on the short end of 3 of them #8212; all on power plays.#147;That#146;s obviously something we don#146;t see every day,#148; Viktor Stalberg said.#147;Absolutely, that#146;s a fluke,#148; Quenneville said.Razor sharp:Backup goalie Ray Emery has done everything the Hawks could have asked of him so far. In his two starts over the first 10 games he has posted 2 victories, including Saturday#146;s strong performance against Columbus.#147;I thought he was real good,#148; Joel Quenneville said. #147;He killed penalties real well for us. He was square, rebound control was in effect; he looked big, square and solid.#147;He starts out with 2 big wins for us and for him. It#146;s a good situation for us.#148;Emery knows his playing time will be limited behind Corey Crawford.#147;You always want to contribute,#148; Emery said. #147;I#146;m happy with the way the game went (Saturday) and I#146;ll be ready when they need me again.#148;That should come this week with back-to-back games Thursday and Friday at Florida and Tampa Bay.